Another great mugshot! This is Edward Burch, age 19, who was picked up by New Orleans police on June 30, 1912.
Before you scroll down, ask yourself, what crime do you think Edward Burch committed? (allegedly)
Did you guess Edward Burch was accused of the crime of sneak thievery? Probably not, since that’s not a charge people get charged with these days!
What’s a sneak thief, you ask? According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, is one who steals without breaking into buildings or using violence.
I don’t believe this guy would’ve been capable of a serious crime but I could see the sneak thief charge!
old spirituals 
My guess was fraud. Close. Fraud is usually pretty sneaky, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great point! There are certain contemptible traits that corporate and Wall Street fraudsters share with a guy who would steal your credit card if you accidentally forgot to pick it up after paying for something. Probably there should be a more descriptive name for those modern criminals than just fraudsters!
LikeLike
Well I call them sociopaths. There are many types and degrees of sociopaths, but what they all have in common is a sense of entitlement and a lack of a conscience. They might feel entitled to your credit card, or at their worst, they might feel entitled to end your life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On second thought, yes on the sense of entitlement. I think you’re right.
LikeLike
Well… isn’t there a difference between these types of criminals? All of them steal. The sneak thief who steals your credit card is usually afflicted with cowardice. They don’t attack you head on. They scurry off as soon as they steal from you, and you never see them or your wallet again. The corporate and Wall Street fraudsters prey on trusting people who have much less than them. A big part of their grift is stealing wallets from people who don’t have the resources to confront them. They take your wallet and call in a favor if needed with the district attorney. Or just have a security guard block you at the door. I don’t understand sociopaths as much, but I think they usually get what they want by manipulating the same victims over and over. They build false reputations as nice guys as a cover. They steal your wallet and convince you that you must’ve lost it! Like Charles Boyer in Gaslight!
LikeLike
Sneak thievery is a new one! I wonder what he’s thinking in that photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe… “I hope they don’t go through my pockets!”
He looks like a guilty person who’s been caught red-handed.
LikeLike